Foreign Affairs Ministry standing committee holds first meeting

Photo: CNI

The first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad was held on Sunday, with committee chairman Joharat Adib Chowdhury in the chair.

Committee members and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, Md Amanullah Aman, Humam Quader Chowdhury, SK Azizul Bari, Saeed Al Noman, ABM Mosharraf Hossain, Sanzida Islam, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Atikur Rahman Mojahid attended the meeting.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman attended the meeting as a special invitee at the invitation of the committee chairman. Newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir was also invited, but could not attend as he was on a previously scheduled foreign trip.

The meeting began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by an introductory session involving the committee chairman, members and senior officials concerned.

The committee was briefed on the organizational structure, functions and ongoing activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry’s activities and achievements over the past six months were reviewed, while its action plan for the next 180 days was also presented.

Committee members offered various opinions and recommendations aimed at making the ministry’s activities more effective, coordinated and result-oriented.

The meeting decided to discuss in detail at its next session the steps the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could take to prevent illegal migration to the United Arab Emirates and other countries.

The meeting described Bangladesh’s achievements and active participation in various foreign affairs initiatives, including the prime minister’s recent visits to Malaysia and China, as a reflection of growing international confidence in the government.

The committee also decided to adopt a unanimous resolution thanking and congratulating Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The committee proposed introducing “education diplomacy” services at Bangladesh’s foreign missions and establishing a dedicated emergency hotline for female migrant workers. The foreign minister and state minister expressed their agreement with the proposals.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary and other senior officials from the ministry and the Parliament Secretariat were also present at the meeting.